Method of photographing on stone.



JOSEPH E. CHAMBERS, OF ST. LOUIS, MISSOURI.

METHOD OF PHOTOGRAPI-IING ON STONE.

Specification of Letters Patent.`

Application led May 24, 1909. Serial No. 498,086.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, JOSEPH E. CHAMBERS, a citizen of the United States,and resident of St. Louis, Missouri, have invented certain new anduseful Improvements in Methods of Photographing on Stone, of which thefollowing is a specification containing a full, clear, and exactdescription, reference being had to the accompanying drawings, forming apart hereof.

My invention relates to a method of photographing on stone, my objectbeing to make it possible to produce a picture or likeness on memory orhistorical tablets, monuments, tombstones, or any place where it isdesired to have a life-like presentment on stone.

In the accompanying drawings I have shown my process in producing aphoto-v graph on a tombstone, in which- Figure l is a perspective viewof a tombstone with the photograph applied thereto according to myprocess; and Fig. 2 is a sectional view.

While I have shown my invention in producing a photograph on atombstone, it may be used, as above stated, in producing a photograph onmemory tablets, historical tablets, etc. In place of applying thephotograph directly to the tombstone, as illustrated, it is preferablefor those unskilled in the process to produce the photograph on a tabletof stone, and then said tablet may be aiiixed to the monument or to thetombstone in any desired mechanical man` ner.

In carrying out my improved process, the stone on which the likeness orpicture is to be produced or reproduced is (l) reduced to an even andflat surface, and (2) all organic, oleaginous or foreign matter thatmight mar the picture or cause a chemical change in the substances used,is removed by the application of an alkaline solution. Then the portionon which the photograph is to be produced or reproduced is etched with asolution of hydrofluoric acid, which not only etches the stone but hasthe tendency to remove the broken crystals that might fill theinterstices of the stone during the process of polishing. The opening ofthese interstices or porous parts of the natural stone allows thesensitive photographic material which I subsequently apply to thisetched surface to sink deeper into the substance of the stone andthereby produce a better and more accurate picture. I then wash thestone with pure -water to remove the acid particles and loose fragmentsof stone, and then the surface is washed with alcohol to produce rapidevaporation.

Referring to the drawings, which represent one application of myprocess, l indicates the tombstone or monument and 2 indcates a recessformed in the same. This recess may be cut out in any manner.

The portion of the surface on which the photograph is to appear, asabove stated, is polished to a smooth, even surface, and then I apply tosaid surface after being prepared, as above stated, a coating ofsensitizing material 3. After the sensitizing material has been appliedand has penetrated the porous openings of the stone, the picture orlikeness is produced or reproduced on said sensitized surface, accordingto the well known processes of photography, and, after the photographhas been produced or reproduced on the sensitized coating, a coating ofa solution of liquid sodium silicate, commonly known as liquid orsoluble glass, is applied, which is allowed to harden and become a partthereof, thereby forming an exterior transparent coating and protectionfor the picture.

After the surface of the stone has been treated, as above described, thesensitized material is placed on said surface of a suiiicient thicknessto fill up the pits and porous openings of the stone and intersticesmade by the. etching. The sensitized material is applied of such athickness that the projecting crystalline formation of the stone willpass through the coating a small distance, and when the liquid silica isapplied to the picture, the projecting particles of the stone will forma bond with the silica whereby the coating will be firmly affixed to thestone over the picture as a solid transparent mass impervious tomoisture.

The usefulness of my process is apparent, as by it a picture or likenessmay be produced or reproduced on monuments, tombstones, memory tablets,and the like, thereby presenting a lifelike appearance or picture of thesubject of the memorial.

By my process any matter, such as memorial or historical written matter,data,

etc., may be produced on stone, thus obviating the necessity of carvingthe matter on the stone, which is an expensive operation. It is wellknown that the descriptive matter on tombstones or monuments which arePatented Aug.3o,191o.

exposed to the elements soon becomes obliterated by the action of theelements and the disintegration caused by carving the stone. By myprocess, after the sensitized surface has been produced, as described,any matter' may be produced thereon, and When coated with a solution ofliquid silica it is thoroughly protected from disintegration by theaction of the elements. The coating of liquid silica When applied andallowed to set and harden hermetically seals, as it Were, the picture ordescriptive matter beneath it, rendering the picture or the inscriptivemattei' immune to the action of moisture, etc.

claim:

l. The herein described method of photographing on stone, which consistsin polishing the surface of the stone to an even flat surface, applying`to said surface an alkaline solution for removing the organic,oleaginous or foreign matter, etching said surface With a solution ofhydrofluoric acid, applying to said surface a coating of sensitizedmaterial producing the photograph thereon, and applying over saidphotograph a coating of liquid sodium silicate.

2. The herein described method of photographing on stone, Which consistsin polishing the stone, treating said polished surface with an alkalinesolution, etching said surface With a solution of hydrofluoric acid,

applying to said surface a coating of sensitized material, producing thephotograph on said sensitized material, and applying over saidphotograph a layer of liquid sodium silicate that is transparent andbecomes a part of the composite mass.

3. The herein described method of photographing on stone, Which consistsin first polishing the stone, treating said polished surface with analkaline solution, etching said surface so as to bring out the naturalporosity of the stone, applying to said surface a coating of sensitizedmaterial to fill said pores, producing a photograph on said sensitizedmaterial, and applying over said photograph a solution of liquid sodiumsilicate.

Ll. The herein described method of photographing on stone, whichconsists in first polishing the stone, treating said polished surfacewith an alkaline solution, etching said surface so as to bring out thenatural porosity of the stone, filling the pits of said surface Withsensitized material to such an extent that the particles of stonesurrounding the pits project beyond said sensitized material, producingthe photograph on said sensitized material, and applying over saidphotograph a coating of liquid sodium silicate, which coating uniteswith the particles of stone projecting through the sensitized material.

In testimony whereof, I have signed my name to this specification, inpresence of two subscribing Witnesses.

JOSEPH E. CHAMBERS. lVitnesses JULiUs E. GREFFET, CHARLES A. HAMIoKiN.

